Chocolate Facts to Melt in Your Mouth on World Chocolate Day

World Chocolate Day is celebrated in Texas and all over the world on Friday, July 7th. Delicious!

Chocolate has expanded its resume just recently actually, by deciding to help out with jet lag.

Since its doing so much for us - I thought I would do something for you all, and combine some quick melty chocolatey facts together that surely will melt in your mouth, and not in your hand.

Check 'em out!

1. Chocolate comes from the cacao tree. The scientific name of the cacao tree is Theobroma cacao, which means "food of the gods."
2. The Mayans and Aztecs were among the first civilizations to cultivate cacao and consume chocolate. They used cacao beans as currency and believed that chocolate had divine properties.
3. The Fry's Chocolate Cream Bar, introduced in 1866, was the first chocolate bar to be mass-produced and commercially successful.
4. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been associated with several health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and improving brain function.
5. Chocolate contains a small amount of a compound called theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. It acts as a mild stimulant and can have a positive effect on mood.
6. It is estimated that the world's chocolate industry produces around 4.5 million metric tons of chocolate per year. That's comparable to about 2,250 average-sized adult blue whales, which are the largest animals on Earth.
7. The largest chocolate bar ever made weighed over 12,770 pounds and was created in Armenia in 2014.
8. Chocolate is a popular gift for Valentine's Day. In the United States alone, approximately 58 million pounds of chocolate are sold during the week leading up to it.
9. White chocolate is not technically chocolate because it does not contain cocoa solids. It is made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids.
10. The world's largest chocolate factory is the Cadbury factory in Bournville, Birmingham, England. It produces over 1 billion Cadbury Creme Eggs each year.
11. The global chocolate industry is worth billions of dollars, with the United States being the largest consumer of chocolate in the world.
12. Chocolate was consumed primarily as a beverage for several centuries before solid chocolate bars became popular in the late 19th century.
13. The smell of chocolate can increase theta brain waves, which are associated with relaxation.
14. The average chocolate bar contains about 10 milligrams of caffeine, but dark chocolate can contain higher amounts.
15. Chocolate has been used as a ration for soldiers during war times. During World War II, the U.S. military commissioned chocolate companies to produce specially designed chocolate bars for soldiers' emergency rations.

Remember to enjoy chocolate in moderation as part of a balanced diet.